Washington, D.C. – Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons strongly condemned Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for their recent remarks about ICE, which he believes are fueling violence and endangering the lives of law enforcement agents. On Friday, Lyons appeared on “Fox & Friends,” accusing Wu and Jeffries of engaging in rhetoric that puts his team at risk, particularly after reports that ICE agents have seen a significant increase in assaults.
Wu’s Controversial Comparison
During a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Wu compared ICE agents wearing masks to members of the neo-Nazi group, Nationalist Social Club-131 (NSC-131), amid a broader discussion on law enforcement practices. “I don’t know of any police department that routinely wears masks,” Wu stated. “NSC-131 routinely wears masks.” When asked if she was equating ICE agents to neo-Nazis, Wu replied, “What I said is that Boston police, and no police department that I know of at the local level, routinely wears masks.”
These comments sparked outrage from Lyons, who took particular issue with the mayor’s suggestion that ICE agents, many of whom are veterans, could be likened to a hate group. “It’s completely disgusting,” Lyons said. “She actually compared us to a neo-Nazi group. And here I am on June 6, where many of the men of ICE — brave men and women that were veterans — on the great day in military history when we defeated the Germans and the Nazi Party, we have elected officials comparing the brave men and women in law enforcement to Nazis.”
Jeffries’ Statement Escalates Tensions
Lyons also criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his remarks on Tuesday, in which he vowed to expose the identities of ICE agents who engage in what he called “aggressive overreach.” Jeffries stated that all agents attempting to conceal their identities “will be unsuccessful in doing that.” He further emphasized that the law requires agents to be identified, adding that this process would continue regardless of the time or effort involved.
For Lyons, Jeffries’ statement was an additional layer of inflammatory rhetoric, contributing to the increasingly hostile climate surrounding ICE agents. “What they’re doing is making these communities more dangerous, not safer,” Lyons declared. “The men and women of ICE are making communities safer.”
Violence and Doxxing of ICE Agents
Lyons explained how the rhetoric from Wu and Jeffries has led to real-world consequences for ICE personnel. He recounted a troubling incident in which masked protesters showed up at his own home in the early morning hours, following the leaking of his address. The director also revealed the disturbing trend of “doxxing,” where ICE agents’ personal information and photos are shared publicly, putting them and their families in danger.
Lyons estimated that “if not hundreds, thousands” of ICE agents have had their identities exposed. He mentioned a specific incident in Massachusetts, where an ICE officer’s photo went viral, with his image posted on telephone poles and street corners, identifying him in a highly negative light. “One of the best officers, the most mild-mannered, nicest human beings on the planet, yet he was described in the worst way,” Lyons said, highlighting the danger faced by agents simply for doing their jobs.
The Bigger Picture
Lyons concluded by stressing that the actions of ICE are integral to maintaining safety across the U.S. “They may not like it, but what the men and women of ICE are doing in Massachusetts and all over this country is making communities safer,” he said. Lyons pointed to the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, who he believes is giving ICE the direction it needs to carry out its mission effectively.
What do you think about the growing tensions between elected officials and ICE? Should rhetoric like this be held accountable when it leads to violence? Share your thoughts in the comments below.